The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, has visited the British Forces Brunei community. He met Gurkhas from The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, the Hornbill School headteacher and the community’s religious teacher. This was his second visit to the garrison in four months.
His Royal Highness was flown to the Seria-based Garrison by Puma helicopter, from 230 Squadron of the UK’s Royal Air Force, and was welcomed by the Commander of British Forces Brunei, Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Stanford-Tuck. This follows on from his previous visit in September to the inaugural Exercise Sunda Patrol 23, an arduous patrol competition hosted in the Bruneian jungle.
Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Stanford-Tuck said, “After being honoured with his time in the jungle on Ex Sunda Patrol, we are hugely pleased to host His Royal Highness once again. Even more so because this time he has graciously consented to visit the wider British Forces Brunei community.”
The soldiers of the Royal Gurkha Rifles are the core of British Forces Brunei, but our success is only made possible with the support of the whole community. Our Royal Air Force colleagues, the garrison support soldiers, service families, teachers, dentists, nurses and fantastic locally employed civilians are what allow us all to thrive. We greatly appreciate the Royal Family’s continued support to British Forces Brunei and our families, as we continue to work together for the benefit of Brunei and the United Kingdom”.
British Forces have been hosted in Brunei since 1963, and as such have developed a strong and supported community. This second Royal visit to British Forces Brunei in four months further cements the strong and historical relationship between the UK and Brunei. British Forces Brunei will continue working closely with His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei, his family and his government.
By Captain Pete Foster, The First Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles
